LGBT Specialization

A pioneer in social justice for over 150 years, Antioch University Los Angeles has launched one of the nation’s first graduate psychology specialization devoted to “affirmative” psychology for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals—thus opening a new frontier in LGBT liberation and psychological understanding.

In two years, you can complete all the required coursework for California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) while simultaneously developing special expertise in the most effective and empowering mental health services for LGBT individuals.

Dedicated to the transformational spirit of LGBT liberation, the Antioch University Los Angeles specialization in LGBT-Affirmative Theory and Practice will help you as affirmative practitioners address the effects of internalized homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia that can be seen as underlying causes for the depression, anxiety, substance abuse, unsafe sex, and other psychic challenges faced by many LGBT individuals. But more importantly, you can help LGBT people and their allies connect with a long-lost meaning and potential for themselves, their community, and society at large through learning about specific affirmative methods and ideas.

The LGBT Specialization courses are found under the course description section on the website and are taken in addition to all the standard courses required for MFT or LPCC licensure (or can provide the focus for a non-clinical degree). Courses are taught by experienced instructors who are fully engaged in the practice of psychotherapy, community activism, and LGBT-Affirmative inner work. These include award-winning author and LGBT Specialization Director Dr. Douglas Sadownick, activist and writer Thomas Mondragon, lesbian psychotherapist Dr. Lauren Costine, and trans-affirmative author Dr. Theodore Burnes.

The LGBT Specialization benefits both LGBT people wanting to become immersed in the life-saving domain of affirmative theory and practice as well as “allies” who themselves may not be LGBT but are eager to serve this community with new competencies and qualifications.